By Michael Whiting
TWO LATE goals by the Brisbane Lions has extended their winning streak against Gold Coast to three matches after eking out an ugly 11-point win at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.
With the Lions trailing by one point and just three minutes remaining, vice-captain Tom Rockliff put his team in front with a contested mark and goal in the goalsquare.
Rockliff outpointed SUNS' small defender Jarrod Harbrow, Rohan Bewick finished off the job a minute later when he streamed into an open goal.
The Lions won 8.11 (59) to 5.18 (48) to move to 7-9 ahead of next week's trip to Patersons Stadium to take on West Coast.
The SUNS will be kicking themselves for a raft of missed chances in the last quarter when they had the run of play.
David Swallow hit the post with a set shot from 20m, Jared Brennan missed one from 30m, while Gary Ablett and Karmichael Hunt both missed everything when within range.
The SUNS had every chance to put the game to bed but could not do so, extending their losing streak at Metricon Stadium to 16 matches.
SUNS captain Gary Ablett was named the Marcus Ashcroft Medalist for best afield for his 37 disposals, nine tackles and one goal.
Gold Coast hammered the Lions at stoppages but struggled to convert on the scoreboard.
With Ablett (nine clearances) and Prestia (eight) winning plenty of ball in close, the SUNS had a landslide 42-23 advantage in the clearances.
Rockliff and Simon Black had 29 disposals each, while Pearce Hanley had 27 and Jack Redden 24.
To say the first half was scrappy would be a gross understatement, as both teams missed targets, fumbled and turned the ball over at will.
Jonathan Brown dropped chest marks, Josh Drummond kicked one out on the full and Ablett kicked it straight back to the Lions.
Whether it was nerves or poor skill, or a bit of both, neither team will enjoy watching the replay.
BRISBANE LIONS 3.2 5.6 6.10 8.11 (59)
GOLD COAST 0.5 3.7 4.10 5.18 (48)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Redden 2, Merrett, Cornelius, Brown, Polkinghorne, Rockliff, Bewick
Gold Coast: Brennan, Lynch, Ablett, Caddy, Bennell
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff, Merrett, Redden, Yeo, Hanley, Black
Gold Coast: Ablett, Prestia, Dixon, McKenzie, Bennell
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Gold Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Rohan Bewick replaced Josh Drummond at three-quarter time
Gold Coast: Liam Patrick replaced Josh Hall in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Armstrong, Ryan, Jeffery
Official crowd: 16,550 at the Metricon Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
